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Virulence Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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virulence

[ˈvɪrjʊləns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease in a host. It is often measured by the severity of the symptoms caused by the infection.

Synonyms

infectiousness, pathogenicity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
virulence

Typically used in a scientific or medical context to describe the severity or harmfulness of a disease or pathogen. It indicates how aggressive and damaging a microorganism is.

  • The virulence of the flu virus this season has led to a higher number of hospitalizations
infectiousness

Often used in public health and epidemiology to describe how easily a disease can spread from person to person. It focuses on the contagiousness rather than the severity.

  • The infectiousness of measles makes it crucial to vaccinate children to prevent outbreaks
pathogenicity

Commonly used in microbiology and medical fields to describe the ability of an organism to cause disease. It emphasizes the quality of being pathogenic.

  • The pathogenicity of this new bacterial strain is being studied to develop effective treatments

Examples of usage

  • The virulence of the virus was evident in the high mortality rate among infected individuals.
  • Researchers are studying the virulence of different strains of bacteria to understand their impact on human health.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The intensity or harmfulness of a negative quality or force, such as anger or criticism.

Synonyms

intensity, severity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
virulence

Typically used in medical or biological contexts to describe the degree of harmfulness of a disease or pathogen. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The virulence of the virus has increased over time.
  • Scientists are studying the virulence of the new strain.
severity

Often used to describe the seriousness or extent of something bad or unpleasant, such as weather, conditions, or diseases. Generally carries a negative connotation.

  • The severity of the injury required immediate medical attention.
  • The severity of the punishment seemed excessive.
intensity

Used in general contexts to describe the degree or strength of something. It can be positive or negative depending on the situation.

  • The intensity of the storm took everyone by surprise.
  • Her intensity during the workout was impressive.

Examples of usage

  • The virulence of his words caused a rift in their relationship.
  • The political debate was marked by the virulence of the candidates' attacks on each other.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Microbiology

  • Different germs have varying levels of virulence; some can make us very sick, while others might only cause mild symptoms.
  • Virulence factors are specific traits of a germ that help it to invade a host, evade the immune system, or cause damage.
  • Vaccines can help lower the virulence of certain diseases, making them less harmful.

History

  • In the late 19th century, scientists began to understand the concept of virulence in relation to infectious diseases.
  • The term gained prominence during outbreaks of cholera and other epidemics, where varying degrees of germ severity were observed.

Medicine

  • Antibiotic resistance can increase the virulence of certain bacteria, leading to more severe infections.
  • Understanding virulence helps doctors decide on the best treatment options for infections.

Pop Culture

  • Movies about pandemics often focus on virulent strains of viruses that spread quickly and cause widespread illness.
  • Documentaries on infectious diseases explore how virulence impacts global health and response strategies.

Origin of 'virulence'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Latin term 'virulentus', meaning 'toxic' or 'poisonous'.
  • It evolved from 'virulentia', a Latin term that refers to the quality of being poisonous.

The word 'virulence' originated from the Latin word 'virulentia', meaning 'poisonous'. It was first recorded in the mid-17th century. Originally used in the context of poison, the term evolved to describe the harmfulness or intensity of various entities, including microorganisms and negative qualities. Over time, 'virulence' became commonly associated with the ability of pathogens to cause disease.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,890, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.